Sequoia Golf Management, now a division of ClubCorp, signed a contract to manage and operate two North Carolina courses — Sequoyah National Golf Club, in Cherokee and River Run Country Club, in Davidson. The two courses are the first third-party management contracts since ClubCorp acquired Sequoia Golf for $265 million in September. At the time of the acquisition, ClubCorp President and CEO Eric Affeldt said the company would aggressively seek third-party mangement deals.

The deals, announced on Nov. 6, bring ClubCorp’s overall portfolio of owned and operated clubs to more than 200 locations in 26 states, the District of Columbia and China. The acquisition of the Atlanta-based management company brought in an additional 50 owned and operated private clubs, a 30 percent increase, making ClubCorp the largest owner of golf courses and the second-largest management company after Troon Golf.

“We are very excited to be adding Sequoyah National and River Run to our portfolio of managed clubs,” Affeldt said in a statement. “The addition of these two clubs expands ClubCorp’s presence in North Carolina, perfectly complementing ClubCorp’s family of clubs.”

Sequoyah National Golf Club is a par-72, 17-hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones II near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The 6,600-yard course, which is being renovated, already has a driving range, putting greens and chipping area.

“Sequoyah National is currently undergoing major renovations on the course with reseeding and sodding projects to improve the aesthetics and playability of the course,” said Tim Dunlap, RVP of the Management Services Division in an email to Golf Inc.

River Run Country Club is an 18-hole championship course designed by Robert Walker and Ray Floyd. In addition to the par-72 course, amenities include a tennis complex, swimming pool, lazy river, waterslides, a fitness center, a formal dining area and other amenities designed for the entire family. Sequoia Golf Management officially took over operations on Nov. 13.

According to Dunlap, the company will work closely with the River Run Country Club board to implement a capital improvement plan, a new marketing plan designed to drive membership, general club service improvements and new club programming.

River Run Country Club decided to outsource management after the former General Manager Marc Struelens left in April, according to DavidsonNews.net.

“The most significant thing here is that we’re announcing that we’ve entered into a partnership to help us manage the club,” Board Chair Steve Reynolds told the publication.

“Nothing’s changing from a membership perspective. We remain a member-owned club.”

Dunlap said the company has focused on improving the member experience at all clubs since merging with ClubCorp.

“The merger of the two companies has been smooth since we have aligned business models with a membership centric focus,” Dunlap said. “We have been developing several capital projects to improve the acquired Sequoia clubs, while designing our reciprocal and F&B programs for our members to enhance their membership experience.”

As for the future, ClubCorp and Sequoia Golf Management are identifying clubs that could benefit from their combined strengths and member-focused business model.

“We believe our management company is a good fit for owners who wish to leverage our knowledge of membership offerings and programs, ancillary revenue categories, operational best practices, and have the opportunity to enjoy our network of clubs,” Dunlap said.

Mosaic Clubs & Resorts has been selected to provide management support to The International, a 700-acre golf, culinary and special events destination founded in 1901 and located in Bolton, Mass., less than an hour west of Boston.

Under the arrangement, The International’s management team stays in place, while Mosaic provides an additional layer of support and expertise, focused primarily on the golf and club components of the business.

The International has two courses, a public course and a semi-private course. The public course is the Geoffrey Cornish-designed Pines Course, opened in 1957 and known for six decades as one of the longest and most difficult golf courses in the world at almost 8,400 yards and a par of 72.

The semi-private Oaks Course is the only Tom Fazio design in New England. Golf Channel travel editor, Matt Ginella, rates the Oaks Course as the number one place to play golf near Boston, while Golf Digest ranking panelists rate it the “Best Course You Can Play” in Massachusetts.

Additionally, there is a Tom Fazio-designed, 16-acre Teaching Center anchored by the Rick Smith Golf Academy, providing both individual and group instruction.

“The entire Mosaic team is thrilled to support the vitality of such an iconic New England treasure as The International,” said Mosaic founding partner and chairman, Whitney Crouse. “Its national reputation for excellence is the standard we will hold high and strive to exceed.”

Troon Golf has acquired Honours Golf in an all cash deal that pushes the portfolio of the world’s largest management company to more than 250 courses.

Honours Golf, one of the leading golf management companies in the Southeastern United States, has 16 courses. Bob Barrett, who is CEO of Honours Golf, has signed a long-term employment contract with Troon and will remain in Birmingham, Ala.

Troon will retain the Honours brand and Barrett will continue to oversee the Honours courses.

“This is a ‘family of brands’ strategy that gives us greater opportunities for growth,” said Dana Garmany, CEO of Troon Golf. “This is an offering that will cast a wider net across a bigger swath of the industry.”

Garmany said he had been open to a management company acquisition for some time, and had been in discussions for more than a year. Troon announced that Kohlberg & Company, a private equity firm, had acquired a majority of the Troon Golf stock, replacing Starwood Capital and Goldman Sachs as majority shareholders in July. At the time, he said the infusion of cash could lead to the acquisition of other management companies.

Troon acquired Honours from its three owners, Bob Barrett, Rob Shults and Bob Julian. Shults co-founded Honours with Barrett in 1998, but will not work for Troon. Barrett and Shults still own assets that are managed by Honours.

“I am delighted to join with Troon in this new and exciting opportunity,” Barrett said. “Troon has for many years been the leading golf management company and I look forward to the collaborative effort to help advance both the Troon and Honours names.”

Garmany said Honours Golf and Troon share the same philosophies and a similar portfolio.

Honours Golf manages high-end courses in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and North Carolina. While Troon manages courses in each of those states, it has had a smaller presence in Alabama and Georgia. Garmany said the portfolio gives Troon a strong cluster in the Southeast.

“The timing worked for both of us,” he said. “We will work together for a few years. We will leave the office in tact and add some people to it.”

Troon will now sell the Honours brand, offering clients more options. Garmany said the differences of the two brands will be in the details.

“Honours Golf is an ideal addition to the Troon family,” said Tim Schantz, Executive Vice President, Global Development Officer, Troon.  “Both companies share complementary values, and the combination will undoubtedly help each company continue to grow, particularly in the Southeastern United States.”

Garmany said more deals are in the works. The company has recently announced several new management contracts, growing its portfolio from 207 to 234 courses.

“Strategically, it’s the perfect time for what we are doing,” Garmany said. “We have had a banner year for adding these things. The deals are one at a time, but it also means that no one owner has leverage. We have 250 courses and around 235 owners.”

Garmany said the acquisition price was based on Honours golf’s EBITDA. The two companies will now begin to integrate their operations.

“Bob Barrett is one of the most respected business leaders in our industry,” stated Dana Garmany, chairman and CEO, Troon. “Everyone at Troon is excited to welcome Bob and his team into the Troon family and to move forward in growing both brands and expanding our services.”

Integrity Golf Company has added Harmony Golf Preserve to its portfolio, bringing its total number of courses in the Orlando market to 19. With the addition, it is the 19th largest management company in the world.

The Winter Garden, Fla.-based company manages 26 properties with 31.5 18-hole equivalent golf courses in Florida, Tennessee, New York, Idaho, South Carolina and North Carolina.

Harmony Golf Preserve, a par-72, 7,417-yard championship course designed by former PGA Tour star Johnny Miller and Fredrick Bliss, encompasses world-class practice facilities, an 18,000-square-foot clubhouse and a restaurant/banquet facility called Graze.

The golf course, which opened in November 2002, is part of a master-planned Town of Harmony – Central Florida’s largest Green Certified Community. Three years ago, Harmony was listed in Where To Retire magazine’s “The Short List: 50 Best Master Planned Communities in the United States.”

Located about 30 minutes from Disney World and Orlando International Airport, Harmony is an 11,000-acre, low-density sustainable community being developed by Starwood Land Ventures LLC, an affiliate of Greenwich, Conn.-based Starwood Capital Group.

According to Integrity Golf Company chief executive officer Gene Garrote, the opportunity to manage the operations at Harmony Golf Preserve is a natural fit for his company’s growing Florida footprint. Integrity Golf also has an existing relationship with Starwood Land Ventures, having previously partnered on a long-term lease for RedTail Golf Club, an upscale 480-acre private residential golf development in Sorrento, Fla.

“We’re excited to be part of such a highly regarded residential golf course community in Harmony,” Garrote said. “We have experience with a numerous other master-planned communities accustomed to high-quality standards, and we’re dedicated to providing Harmony’s residents and guests a continued high-caliber lifestyle and rich calendar of  programming, events and activities.”

As the official partner of the First Tee of Central Florida, an international youth development organization centered on golf, Garrote also pointed out that Integrity Golf is committed to growing Harmony’s junior golf and player development programs.

Harmony is currently home to approximately 1,250 multi-generational residents and features its own school, town center, fire station, 12.5-mile network of natural trails and paths and a 500-acre lake and boardwalk made of recycled materials

The Golf Preserve, a secluded course set on a 260-acre wildlife preserve, is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary and offers a full practice facility and driving range, locker room and shower facilities and full-service banquet facilities that annually hosts large groups and wedding parties.

Harmony Golf Preserve was considered a Top-50 public course by the readers of Golf World magazine in 2010 and previously hosted the 2007 Hooters Tour Michelob Ultra Classic.

Troon Golf has signed a management contract with The Royal Country Clubs, a collection of four clubs in the Chicago area, each featuring an 18-hole course. Management will begin Jan. 1, 2015.

The four Illinois clubs are: The Royal Fox Country Club in St. Charles, The Royal Hawk Country Club in St. Charles, The Grove Country Club in Long Grove and the Klein Creek Golf Club in Winfield.

“The Royal Country Clubs truly present a unique lifestyle filled with a variety of recreation and social activities,” Senior Vice President of Troon Golf Operations Mike Ryan said in a press release. “We are honored to have been selected and confident that our management approach will contribute positively at these four esteemed Chicagoland clubs.”

The Royal Fox Country Club has a 6,816-yard, par-71 course and has hosted the Illinois PGA Open five times in recent years. The Royal Hawk Country Club is a 180-acre property with views of the Fox River Valley. The clubhouse, built in 2006, is modeled after Mount Vernon, the home of President George Washington.

The Grove Country Club is a 7,000-yard, par-72 course built in 1964 with Bentgrass fairways and greens with water in play on eight holes. The Klein Creek Golf Club is a Dick Nugent-designed daily-fee course designed to offer higher handicap players four sets of tees. All memberships include reciprocal play. 

“Our goals are always centered on enhancing the member and guest experiences at The Royal Country Clubs and Troon is the ideal partner to help us accomplish our objectives,” said Royal Golf Group owner John Weiss in a press release. “Troon is excited to establish a presence in Chicago and we’re looking forward to partnering with the world’s best golf management company for our members. This new partnership is going to be a win for everyone involved.”  

All clubs feature dining venues, fitness centers, swimming pools, tennis courts, wedding and event facilities.

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Troon is the world’s largest management company with a portfolio exceeding 250 courses. 

KemperSports will manage Fountains Country Club in Lake Worth, Florida. The company originally performed a 360-degree operations assessment and has since been selected to oversee the club’s golf, tennis, fitness and dining amenities. KemperSports now manages eight courses in the state of Florida. 

Fountains Country Club is an 865-acre gated community, featuring three 18-hole golf courses known as the North, South and West Championship courses. All three were designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge. Fountains Country Club has hosted past qualifying events for the Honda Classic on the PGA Tour and the Allianz Championship on the Champions Tour, in addition to multiple regional U.S. Open qualifiers. 

“In today’s competitive market, it’s important for us to seek leadership from industry professionals,” Board President Paul McGinn said in a press release. “The Board and I are confident that KemperSports is the right partner to ensure the long-term health of our club.”   

The private country club features a recently renovated 45,000-square-foot clubhouse, 12 tennis courts and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

“We have enjoyed working with Fountains Country Club and are please to expand our relationship,” KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner said in a press release. “We look forward to enhancing the members’ experience at Fountains.”

Northbrook, Illinois-based KemperSports owns and manages private, public and municipal golf courses, resorts, athletic clubs and lodging venues throughout the United States, Caribbean and Central America including award-winning Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon. Fountains Country Club will also join KemperCollection, KemperSports’ portfolio of private clubs. 

Integrity Golf took over operations of Capital City Country Club in Tallahassee, Florida in late December. The Florida-based company now oversees 21 courses in its home state.

Capital City Country Club features an 18-hole championship course designed by golf architect A.W. Tillinghast, located less than two miles from the Florida State Capitol. Additional amenities include a swimming pool, five tennis courts, a golf pro shop and banquet facilities.

“It’s a privilege for our company to be associated with Capital City’s membership and this one-of-a-kind property,” Integrity Golf chief executive officer Gene Garrote said in a press release. “We’re eager to help rejuvenate this historic golf and country club and turn it into Tallahassee’s most desirable golf and leisure destination.”

Members selected Integrity Golf due to its “future capital commitments” and shared club vision. Details of the financial commitment have not been disclosed.

“I appreciate that Integrity saw the potential in our club and they were willing to invest in our infrastructure,” club president Jim Pfeil said in a press release. “The fact they are financially sound was important. There was an instant feeling that Integrity Golf saw things differently from others we talked to and they have a different business model.”

This is the fourth course Integrity Golf added to its portfolio in December 2014. Integrity Golf announced it would operate three other courses last month: Harmony Golf Preserve in Harmony, Florida, Crab Meadow Golf Course in Huntington, New York and Dix Hills Park Short Course in Huntington, New York.

Integrity Golf Company manages more than 30 courses in Florida, New York, Tennessee, North Carolina, Idaho and South Carolina. 

Capital City Country Club, Tallahassee’s oldest golf course, first opened in 1908 under the name Tallahassee Country Club with a small golf course on the grounds of The Grove, a private estate. In the 1920s it expanded to nine holes and added a clubhouse. Under the new ownership of the City of Tallahassee in the 1930s, Tillinghast was hired to design a championship 18-hole course. It was a municipal course until the newly chartered Capital City Country Club and many original Tallahassee Country Club members took control of the club in 1956.

Troon has been selected to manage Frenchman’s Reserve Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The country club, which features an 18-hole championship course designed by Arnold Palmer, will be managed under the Troon Privé division for private clubs.

“Frenchman’s Reserve Country Club is an exceptional private facility with an outstanding reputation,” Jim McLaughlin said in a press release, senior vice president of Troon Privé Operations. “We are honored to have been selected by them and are confident that our management practices will contribute positively to the experience at this widely renowned club.”

Other amenities include a state-of-the-art grand clubhouse, spa, fitness center, six tennis courses, outdoor pool, guest suites and several dining options.

"Troon’s reputation is highly respected in the private club industry and we are confident their involvement will improve the overall member experience at our club. We look forward to building a great partnership with their team,” the club’s board president Rob Jacoby stated in a press release. "By being a part of the Troon Privé division, our members will surely enjoy access to Troon courses worldwide along with the many other great benefits and services it delivers.”

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Troon is the world’s largest golf management company with a portfolio of over 250 clubs. 

The Ridge Club in Sandwich, Massachusetts has hired KemperSports to manage its operations. The private Cape Cod club was built in 1990. In 2012, 12 members purchased the club, including Bobby Orr, former National Hockey League player for the Boston Bruins and Chicago Black Hawks. 

“As we look toward a bright future, we are confident KemperSports is the right partner for the Ridge Club,” Orr said in a press release.

The Ridge Club is part of a 180-home gated community in Cape Cod’s oldest town. It has a 40,000 square-foot clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis complex and whiffle ball field with a left field wall modeled after Fenway Park’s Green Monster.

“The Ridge Club is consistently mentioned as one of the finest clubs in the Cape Cod region,” KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner said in a press release. “We look forward to working with the ownership at the club to grow the programming and enhance the member and guest experience.”

The course features an 18-hole Robert von Hagge-designed course with a signature 17thhole with the only island green on the Cape. It is KemperSports first club in the New England region.

KemperSports, based in Northbrook Illinois, is one of Golf Inc.’s top 10 largest management companies in the world. The family-owned company has a portfolio of more than 100 courses throughout the U.S., including nationally ranked courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. KemperSports manages Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place, Washington, which will host the 2015 U.S. Open.

Billy Casper Golf will manage Kauai Lagoons Golf Club, its fifth course in Hawaii and the island’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf course.

“Golfers relish Kauai Lagoons for its strong course design, tranquility and panoramic ocean views,” says Peter Hill, Chairman and CEO of BCG, which has managed several courses in Hawaii for more than 15 years.  “Billy Casper Golf will inject new programming and special events to add excitement to guest experiences.”

BCG, the world’s fourth largest management company, already manages Bay View Golf Park in Kaneohe, Puakea Golf Course in Lihue, Kukuiolono Golf Course in Kalaheo and Ka'anapali Golf Coursesin Lahaina.

The golf course has three none-hole layouts. Kiele Mauka is a 3,655 yard, par 37 that is famous for its 219-yard, par 3 fifth hole. A challenging tee shot over a mango and guava tree forest leads to a green closely encircled by bunkers and dense, tropical foliage. Kiele Moana is a 3,501 yard, par 35 layout that was extensively renovated by Nicklaus in 2011 and boasts more than a half-mile of unobstructed ocean views. Waikahe is a 3,423 yard, par 36 that is entertaining for golfers of all skill levels. 

BCG will direct course maintenance, staffing and training, clubhouse activities, merchandising, golf instruction, marketing and public relations, special events and financial management. It will retain existing employees.

Troon, the world’s largest management company, will manage The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge in Monroe, N.Y., a public course located in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains.

The course features an 18-hole, par 72 Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course that is rated four stars on Golf Digest’s Places to Play list. The course sits on a historic 220-acre site with landmarks that predate the American Revolution and boasts many historic structures, adding to the charm and character of the property.

“We selected Troon to help us open this new chapter of our club and bring their proven track record of success to The Club at Mansion Ridge,” stated Jason Giordano of Great Expectations, owners of the course. “Without a doubt, Troon is the perfect organization to lead our efforts with enhancing the experiences at our club and we are excited to bring the ‘Troon Golf Experience’ to The Club at Mansion Ridge.

Troon will work with the ownership of Mansion Ridge to direct a significant capital investment to enhance and reinvigorate both the golf course and the clubhouse.

Enhancements will include an expansive interior renovation of the clubhouse including updated flooring, furnishings, fixtures, new menu concepts, along with the renovation of the patio and outdoor dining areas to create new/additional dining experiences.

Course enhancements will include the implementation of Troon’s proprietary agronomic programs that will improve playing conditions from tee to green. Additionally, capital will be infused to improve the cart paths, replace bridges throughout the course and bring to Mansion Ridge a new fleet of well-appointed golf carts.

“We are extremely excited to be selected to manage The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge and direct efforts to elevate the golf, dining and special event experience at this popular New York golf venue,” stated John Easterbrook, executive vice president, operations, Troon. “We are happy to expand Troon’s presence in the region and to immediately make a positive impact on the operations at the club.”

San Jose Country Club has selected KemperSports to manage its historic country club. It chose KemperSports based, in part, on its significant footprint in Northern California. The Chicago-based management company manages 22 courses in California.

The Club includes an 18-hole golf course that was built in 1912 and full-service clubhouse with multiple dining options and private event space that can accommodate up to 250 guests. The golf course, which has hosted the Santa Clara County Championship annually for the past 81 years, was originally designed by Scottish-born golf professional Tom Nicoll. The course has since gone through several renovations, including by A.W. Tillinghast (1936) and John Harbottle (1997).to manage 

“San Jose Country Club is one of the most respected clubs in Northern California,” said KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner. “We look forward to working with the members to align with their mission of delivering the best possible club experience for members and their guests.”

Landscapes Management Company, a division of Landscapes Unlimited, has signed a number of new management and consulting contracts and more announcements are expected soon.

Landscapes signed five-year management contracts with Ashland Golf Club in Ashland, Neb. effective Jan. 1 and Mountain View Golf Club in Fairfield, Pa., effective Jan. 15. The Lincoln, Neb.-based company will provide full management services for both clubs including operations, food & beverage, turf maintenance, accounting and marketing.

Landscapes has also expanded its management services at Sutton Bay Golf Club in Agar, South Dakota and consulting services at Worthington Manor Golf Course in Urbana, Md. The company will announce consulting contracts with two additional golf courses soon, according to Vice President Mark Mattingly.

“This is a very active time for us,” Mattingly said. “We are pleased and thankful to be considered by all these folks.”

Ashland Golf Club, positioned in between Lincoln and Omaha, is a semi-private club featuring an 18-hole golf course, a clubhouse and swimming pool.

“This was a natural fit for us,” Mattingly said. “It’s just north of Lincoln, where our home office is. A number of senior managers live in Lincoln or Omaha and travel that route day in and day out.”

Mountain View Golf Club, located near the Historic Gettysburg battlefields, has an 18-hole golf course, natural grass practice range, short game area and full service grill. Mattingly said the company is also extending some consulting and purchasing benefits to Worthington Manor Golf Course in Urbana, Md., which is under the same ownership as Mountain View Golf Club.

“In both cases, we’re assisting them in growing top line revenue,” Mattingly said. “We are also looking to increase operational efficiency and extending buying power for both locations. Each is essentially a standalone facility with limited buying power. We can really help them expand and improve buying power and negotiations.”

Mountain View Golf Club is Landscape’s first managed course in Pennsylvania, though it has a presence in the east, as it owns and operates Renditions Golf Course in Davidsonville, Md.

Landscapes Unlimited has been involved with Sutton Bay Golf Club since it opened in 2003. It constructed the course under golf builder and Landscapes Unlimited CEO Bill Kubly, who is also part owner of the South Dakota club. Sutton Bay Golf Club recently lost its CEO, developer and state golf champion Mark Amundson, 55, after he passed away in an all-terrain vehicle accident on Aug. 25. Landscapes stepped in to help with the overall management of the club.

“We have been very much involved and offered limited management services in the past,” Mattingly said. “Unfortunately, the founder passed away, so we put our foot forward to offer additional services. Mark had been chairman and CEO, but he had a lot to do with the direction of the club. We knew him and understand his vision and want to help with that transition.”

Landscapes Unlimited is one of the world’s largest golf course development, construction and management companies. It has also completed over 1,400 projects worldwide in areas of new course construction, renovation and irrigation. It currently owns and manages more than 50 properties nationwide.

Hall of Fame golf champion Billy Casper, who is the namesake for Billy Casper Golf Management, died of a heart attack on Feb. 7 at his home near Salt Lake City. He was 83.

Casper had several health setbacks the past 10 months including multiple surgeries and a month-long hospital stay in December. He had passed out at the Masters last year.

Casper helped start Billy Casper Golf Management with business partners Peter Hill and Bob Morris in 1989. The company grew slowly at first, but is now the largest public operator in the U.S. and the fourth largest in the world. The company has 7,600 employees. In recent years, Casper was a senior advisor to the company.

Born William Earl Casper, Jr. in 1931 in San Diego, he started playing golf at age four to working-class parents who divorced when he was 12. He spent a lot of time at nearby San Diego Country Club, where he made money as a caddy and developed his golf game.

He attended the University of Notre Dame on a golf scholarship in 1950, but left after one year. He married his wife of more than 60 years, Shirley Franklin Casper, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served until 1955, playing on its golf team.

He then joined the PGA Tour, winning his first tournament in 1956. He won the U.S Open in 1959 and 1966.  He played a conservative game, emphasizing course management. Many have said he had the greatest putting stroke in history.

His 51 victories on the PGA Tour rank as the seventh highest total of all time. He won the Masters in 1970. He played on eight consecutive Ryder Cup teams amassing more points (23.5) than any other American. He won the Vardon Trophy five times and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1978 and the PGA Hall of Fame in 1982.  Sports Illustrated named Casper one of the Top 20 players in the history of golf.

He joined the Senior Tour in 1981, won two majors and stepped down in 1989, the same year Billy Casper Golf Management was started.

After his professional career, Casper designed more than 20 golf courses, including three courses at Golf Summerlin in Sun City Summerlin, Nevada.

While his playing accomplishments clearly make him one of the greatest golfers of all time, his commitment to family made him a role model.  Casper joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1966 at the height of his career. His dies strong faith as a Mormon led him to tour the world for charitable causes, focusing on the betterment of youth.

"My goal in life is to help my fellow man and touch people’s lives in a positive way wherever I go. I believe that youngsters, the future of our great country, are our most precious commodities. Through golf, they learn the importance of discipline, family and invaluable life skills necessary to compete in an ever-changing world.”

Casper is survived by his wife, 11 children, six of whom are adopted, and 71 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

IMG Golf Course management will provide golf course management and consulting services for two Australian courses: Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort and Links Hope Island. Both courses are owned by China-based Golden Horse Nine Dragon Lake Holdings.

“I am very pleased to be working with IMG in Australia, as we have a long and successful history of working together at Dragon Lake Golf Club in Guangzhou,” Chairman Feng Di said. “With IMG’s commitment to excellence, depth of resources and industry expertise, we are confident Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort and Links Hope Island will benefit very positively from this relationship.”

Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort, located on the Sunshine Coast, features an 18-hole championship course designed by Graham Papworth. It also has a clubhouse, spa, fitness center and luxury apartment style accommodations overlooking the 1st hole.

Links Hope Island, located on the Gold Coast, features an 18-hole championship course, Mediterranean-style clubhouse and an aquatic-style driving range. Peter Thompson and his partner, Mike Wolveridge, designed the course.

“IMG is very excited to extend our relationship with Chairman Feng Di,” said Paul Burley, vice president of IMG Golf. “We look forward to providing a range of high quality services, including offering members access to IMG Prestige, our global reciprocal program. I am certain our extensive international operational experience will build on the reputation of these two excellent clubs.”

IMG Golf Course Management is a division of IMG, the global sports, fashion and media business that was founded by Mark McCormack in 1960. The management division is now the largest third party operator in Asia. The Golf Course Services division handles golf course management and consulting services and golf course design in the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa and now Australia. 

KemperSports will manage golf and clubhouse operations at Bay Point Wyndham Resort in Panama City, Fla. The Feb. 17 announcement comes just weeks after news broke that KemperSports extended its management services to Fountains Country Club in Lake Worth, Fla. and The Ridge Club in Sandwich, Mass.

Bay Point Resort is currently undergoing an extensive renovation, which includes a full renovation of the 200-room hotel, spa and conference center. The resort’s two 18-hole championship courses will remain open during this time.

Willard Byrd originally designed the Meadows Course in 1973, measuring 6,913 yards. Bay Point also features The Nicklaus Course (formerly known as Lagoon Legends), which was redesigned and renovated by Jack Nicklaus, Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge. It opened under its new name in 2005. It is the only Nicklaus Signature Design in Northwest Florida, measuring more than 7,000 yards, and was a finalist in Golf Inc.’s 2005 Renovation of the Year contest.

Once the hotel and conference center renovation is complete, Bay Point Resort will launch a full renovation of the 130 golf villa units.

“While the Resort is currently undergoing an extensive renovation, we felt that this was the opportune time to partner with a top management company for the long-term health of our two treasured course,” said owner representative Chris Beavor.

Additionally, the resort features a practice area, putting greens, a full service driving range, tennis club, dining venues, spa and two outdoor pools. Crescent Hotels & Resorts will manage the resort and spa.

“Bay Point is one of the premier properties in the Southeast,” said KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner. “We look forward to working with the ownership through the renovation process and reestablishing Bay Point as a must play.”

KemperSports, based in Northbrook Illinois, is one of Golf Inc.’s top 10 largest management companies in the world. The family-owned company has a portfolio of more than 100 courses throughout the U.S., including nationally ranked courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. KemperSports manages Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place, Washington, which will host the 2015 U.S. Open.

Billy Casper Golf will manage Forest Hill Field Club, a private, member-owned club in Bloomfield, N.J., located 15 minutes from Manhattan. BCG will oversee club operations, golf and round maintenance, membership marketing, staffing and training, member activities, food and beverage, merchandising, golf instruction, public relations, special events and financial management.

"We are deeply honored to manage Forest Hill Field Club," Peter Hill said in a news release, chairman and CEO of Billy Casper Golf. "Our talented team will introduce new membership programs, special events and other initiatives to build on the history of Forest Hill as one of the Northeast's premier country clubs."

The club first opened in 1896. It features an 18-hole, 6,547-yard, par-71 course designed by A.W. Tillinghast, an Olympic-sized pool, sauna and fitness center. Tillinghast was recently inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame for his work at Forest Hill Field Club among others including Winged Foot Golf Club, Ridgewood Country Club and Bethpage State Park’s Black Course.

"Billy Casper Golf's unique approach to bolstering financial performance and enhancing services for members is unmatched," Peter Kelly said in a news release, president of the board of Forest Hill. "We will work with its experts to create even more structure and value to memberships which promote the highest level of exclusivity with world-class amenities."

Billy Casper Golf, headquartered in Vienna, Va., is one of the largest owners and operators of golf courses, country clubs and resorts in the country with over 150 properties in 28 states. 

Billy Casper Golf will manage Enger Park and Lester Park, two public golf courses in Duluth, Minn., near Lake Superior. BCG’s management services will include course and property maintenance, staffing and training, clubhouse activities, merchandising, golf instruction, marketing and public relations, special events and financial management.

“Managing Duluth’s storied, public courses is an honor,” Peter Hill said in a news release, chairman and CEO of Billy Casper Golf. “Out team will inject fresh, new programming and special events to further enhance their reputations as ‘must plays’ for locals and visitors alike.”

The two courses have hosted the Minnesota Section PGA of America Tour, as well as roughly 70 tournaments and 40 fundraising events annually. Additionally, the two courses serve more than 180 families with innovative youth golf programs and nearly 1,100 golfers during weekly league play. Both courses have all-grass driving ranges, putting greens and chipping greens with bunkers. 

“We are excited to work with the experts at Billy Casper golf,” Jim Filby Williams said in a news release, director of public administration for the City of Duluth. “The company is known for boosting the quality of golf and financial performance of municipal golf courses.”

Enger Park, built in 1927, features a 27-hole course with three distinct layouts: parkland-, link- and traditional-style. Ranging from 3,168 to 3,359 yards, the par-36, “Front 9,” “Middle 9” and “Back 9” designs have strategic bunkering, several doglegs and four sets of tees to challenge golfers of all handicaps.

Lester Park, which first opened in 1932, has a classic layout and views of Lake Superior on 20 of its 27 holes. Ranging from 3,182 to 3,417 yards, the par-36, “Front 9,” “Back 9” and “Lake 9” courses present golfers with narrow fairways, elevation changes and gently undulated greens for a challenging game. 

“Golf Digest” has named Duluth one of the “Best Cities in America for Public Golf.”

Billy Casper Golf, headquartered in Vienna, Va., is one of the largest owners and operators of golf courses, country clubs and resorts in the country with over 150 properties in 28 states.  

KemperSports will mange Mount Vintage Plantation Golf Club in North Augusta, S.C., located less than 20 miles from August National Golf Club, home of The Masters. KemperSports will implement staff training programs and enhance member social programming.

"KemperSports has the experience that we were looking for in a partner," Club representative Brad Hailey said in a news release. "We are confident that this partnership with KemperSports will benefit the club and its' members."

The Club has a 27-hole golf course designed by Tom Jackson. It includes the Chester Nine and Vintage Nine, both built in 2000. The Independent Nine was added in 2008. The Club is the centerpiece of the Mount Vintage Planation Community.

According to the Augusta Chronicle, the club faced financial turmoil over the past few years, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last February. The Bank of Camden, which hired KemperSports, took over the course and reopened it this past April.

"We look forward to working with our team to improve member and guest service levels," KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner said in a news release. "Working with the ownership group our goal will be to maintain superb course conditions and grow the Club's programming."

KemperSports, based in Northbrook Ill., is one of Golf Inc.’s top 10 largest management companies in the world. The family-owned company has a portfolio of more than 100 courses throughout the U.S., including nationally ranked courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. KemperSports manages Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place, Wash., which will host the 2015 U.S. Open.

Troon has been selected to manage golf operations at Fairmont St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, which Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate PLC recently purchased for $53.9 million in August. This marks Troon’s 43rd managed property outside of the United States.

“We are working a lot more with our clients in Europe, especially London and Scotland.” said Jeff Woolson, managing director of CBRE Golf & Resort Group, who brokered the sale of the championship facility. “You’re mostly seeing golf courses trading between 9 to 11 percent cap rates. Fairmont St Andrews was six caps. The lower the cap, the higher the price.”

The 520-acre estate features a luxury resort and hotel with more than 200 guest rooms and two championship golf courses built in 2001. The Torrance Course is a par-72 course measuring 7,230 yards. The Scottish links course was originally designed by Sam Torrance and features eight re-designed holes and classic Scottish bunkers. It served as an Open Championship Qualifying Course in 2010. Bruce Devlin designed the Kittocks Course, another par-72 course that measures 7,192 yards.

“We look forward to working closely with the golf and hotel teams on-site to further improve standards and build on the solid base that has been created since it first opened,” Bruce Glasco, chief operating officer, managing director of Troon International Operations, said in news release. “Fairmont St Andrews joins a fine collection of Troon-facilities in the UK, becoming our second Scottish venue and sitting alongside the likes of Prince’s Golf Club, The Grove and Centurion Club, the only Troon Privé club in the U.K.”

Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate PLC is a real estate investment group with a portfolio of over €2 billion invested in office and retail space across the United Kingdom and Ireland. One month before acquiring Fairmont St Andrews, the company purchased Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links in Dublin, Ireland for $39 million. 

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Troon is the world’s largest management company with a portfolio exceeding 250 courses.